Dangerous heat dome to blanket the eastern US through the July 4 weekend
More than 180 million people across the eastern half of the United States face major to extreme heat risk as a powerful heat dome settles in. The National Weather Service expects heat indices near 110 degrees, with the most dangerous conditions building around July 3 and 4.
A dangerous heat dome is pressing hot air over the central and eastern United States right before the Fourth of July weekend. The National Weather Service places more than 180 million people in major to extreme heat risk, with nearly 142 million already under heat alerts. Forecasters expect temperatures in the 90s and low 100s, and humidity pushing heat indices toward 110 degrees. Cities including New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Chicago, Saint Louis, and Memphis are in the path. The sharpest danger is the lack of overnight cooling, which gives the body little time to recover. Conditions are expected to peak around July 3 and 4. Sources: National Weather Service, NPR, CNN, NBC News, CBS News, Time.